Melbourne Fringe

Image by Something Splendid

In 2004 a bold and generous decision to acknowledge initiative and passion saw my career rapidly change gears. At age 24, I was fortunate to be Melbourne Fringe’s Creative Producer, working alongside some real legends of the Australian arts scene: Esther Anatolitis, Beau McCafferty, Ella Hinkley and Lucy Day, as well as Richard Watts who was Chair at that time. The role allowed me the capacity to define and explore my artistic interests, and I was able to curate some fantastic contemporary artists over a number of high profile interdisciplinary projects for public space. My 2010 collaboration with Martyn Coutts to produce Visible Citywas a definitive highlight: 11 exceptional artists working during and inside the Festival to create live art that made the city visible to its inhabitants. Those artists included Lara Thoms, Willoh S Weiland, Sarah Rodigari, Jason Maling, Jennifer Jamieson, Joned Suryatmoko, Sally Ann Macintyre, Kerry Ann Lee, Melody Woodnutt and Rachel Main. At this time live art - as we now understand it - was just starting to be established in Melbourne, and the collection of this particular group had some really significant effects on the future of the form. Melbourne Fringe is a very special organisation, that celebrates the value independent ideas bring to a city and its culture. It allows anyone inside it to define its meaning. What a brave, and contemporary idea.